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Maintenance of the distribution lines has been regularly attended to, and in connection with the change-over the necessary reconstruction of lines has been carried out. The Okere plant has been maintained in running order and has been operated one shift per day. The following table sets out the units generated and purchased for the year and the new load connected:— Purchased from Generated T , Public Works Department. at Okere. ° a ' 1938-39 .. .. 5,429,159 208,750 5,637,909 1937-38 .. .. 4,404,321 226,371 4,630,692 Increase for year .. .. .. .. 1,007,217 Maximum load for year : 1,356 kVA., 6 p.m., on 7th July, 1938. No. kW. New consumers, light and heat .. .. .. .. 220 563 • 2 Extensions, light and heat .. .. .. ..176 281-4 Ranges.. .. .. .. .. .. ..60 366-4 Motors .. .. .. .. .. .. ..97 88-0 Total new load for year : 1,299-0 kW. The above figures indicate the development and increase in load for the year just completed. The annual report for the year ending 31st March, 1927, recorded that it was the first year in which the total units exceeded 1,000,000. A year is now recorded in which the increase alone in units exceeds 1,000,000. Water-supply. —Eighty-six new connections were made to the water-supply system during the year. A general scheme of reticulation in an otherwise more or less unserved area was also undertaken in Pukuatua, Hinemoa, Eruera, Amohau, Peneha, and Tarewa Streets in connection with the Housing Department's and Rotorua Borough Council's general housing scheme. For this purpose 5,800 ft. of 4 in. cast-iron mains were laid, thus providing a very efficient service both from a fire-fighting point of view and for water-supply purposes in a rapidly developing area. Drainage.-—Six new connections were made to the sewerage system. Maintenance-work has been carried out on mains, manholes, branch drains, and pumping-plant. Generally speaking, the system has operated quite satisfactorily. General Plumbing. —The usual maintenance-work has been carried out both from a plumbing and sanitary point of view in all departmental buildings. This includes water-mains, branch services, roofs, spoutings, down-pipes, and sanitary fittings in the baths, sanatorium, gardens, and other sections of the Department's activities. Several visits were also paid to Waitomo Caves and Te Aroha to effect repairs to the hot-water service and steam-boiler fittings. Round Trip.—This trip has operated smoothly and given valuable service in providing the necessary means for tourists to inspect the very interesting thermal areas in the neighbourhood of Waimangu, Lake Rotomahana, and Mount Tarawera. Waimangu Round Trip is recognized as the most comprehensive trip in this region and is probably the most popular in the district. During the ofi-season due attention was given to the maintenance and general overhaul of launches. All necessary repairs have been carried out to tracks and footpaths during the winter months, as well as to wharves, slipways, &c. The fluctuations in the level of Lake Rotomahana cause some difficulties at times, and it is necessary to raise or lower the landing-stages accordingly. Similar conditions apply in regard to slip-ways on this lake, but, fortunately, there is no difficulty on Lake Tarawera. Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti and Ohau Channel.—The low level of these lakes has caused a certain amount of difficulty and danger to the launches plying for hire and to private craft, and it was necessary to erect twenty-two new beacons on dangerous rocks, shoals, and submerged logs. Some difficulty and inconvenience was also experienced in the Ohau Channel by reason of submerged logs and stumps of fallen willow-trees. On several occasions it has been necessary to send staff with block and tackle to haul the stumps out. A small landing was erected on the banks of the Ohau Channel at the landingreserve for the convenience of boatmen. Buildings. —All departmental buildings —baths, Sanatorium, staff residences, sports pavilions, fences, playing-material, &c. —have been maintained in reasonably good condition. Gardens. —A very high standard was set in the sanatorium grounds this year, the floral display being particularly good, notwithstanding the lengthy periods of dry weather experienced during this summer. The condition of these grounds and the fine exhibition of flowers has been the subject of numerous complimentary remarks being paid by overseas visitors. It was also very gratifying to receive recently a very good testimonial to the condition of the grounds and general brightness of the floral display from a well-known New Zealand nurseryman and horticulturist. Although the lack of rain has to some extent been detrimental to the satisfactory upkeep of playing-areas (bowling-greens, tennis-courts, croquet-lawns, and golf-links), these have, nevertheless, been kept in good order. Particularly during the tennis tournament in December and bowling tournament in February the playing-areas were in exceptionally good condition and were the subject of favourable comment by visiting players. An improvement has been effected at the Hinemoa Street entrance to the gardens, and fronting the Ward Baths, by the removal of a number of failing trees, levelling the site, resowing in grass, and replanting with a number of temporary ornamental trees.

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